World Cup of Darts 2017 preview

This weekend the seventh World Cup of Darts takes place in Germany, which of the 32 nations will come out on top.

The World Cup is like no other event in Darts with two players on each team to represent their country. It brings players to the fore who are not normally in the limelight and it is always a special atmosphere in Frankfurt.

So who will lift the trophy this weekend?

Scotland(1)

Despite never lifting the crown before Scotland head to Germany as favourites. This is largely down to the form of Peter Wright. Over the last few years Gary Anderson has been one of the few players in the world who can challenge world number one Michael Van Gerwen, but Wright has now also joined that group.

Despite heartache in the final of the Premier League recently, he captured his first major title at the UK Open earlier this year. Wright has stepped up his game and with two of the current top three players in the world making up their team they are rightfully favourites.

Anderson beat Van Gerwen in the final of the Dubai Masters last week and that will do him the world of confidence. If he and Wright play like they have done in recent months, they will lift the crown.

England(2)

The reigning champions have a new look about them as Dave Chisnall makes his World Cup debut alongside Adrian Lewis.

Four tries out of six Lewis has won this crown, each time alongside Phil Taylor. However, Taylor, is not playing in the event as he cuts back on his schedule in his final year on the circuit. Chisnall improved as the Premier League went on and he nearly snuck into the top four on the last night of the league stage.

Lewis on the other hand has struggled for most of the year, but has always stepped up at this event. They face Gilbraltor first up before a likely tie with South Africa in round two. They should still make the latter stages, but it will be a tough task to overcame the other top two sides.

Netherlands(3)

Van Gerwen and Raymond Van Barneveld look to regain the title they won in Hamburg three years ago. Despite many thinking that Van Gerwen has not been on top of his game this year he has still won the majority of the major titles on offer. After losing to Anderson last week he will be driven to get one over on his Scottish rival. Much the opposite to Chisnall, Barney started the Premier League strongly but faded in the final weeks.

In this format one player can drag the other through and MVG is more than capable of doing this if Barney struggles. However, if they are to get past England and Scotland, the latter will also need to put in some performances of his own.

The others

Wales are fourth seeds and have one of the most improved players on the tour this year, Gerwyn Price, in their ranks. He made he UK Open final and reached the Dubai Masters semi-final last weekend. He is partnered by the experienced former BDO champion Mark Webster. Australia are always ones to watch and Simon Whitlock and Kyle Anderson will hopeful of another deep run this year. Daryl Gurney has been one of the most improved players this year and he competes for Northern Ireland.

However, much of the intrigue in this event is among the smallest darting nations such as, Thailand, Italy and Brazil take the stage.

You can’t count out England and Netherlands, but for me it is time for Scotland to claim their first World Cup of Darts.

The World Cup of Darts will be live on Sky Sports from 1st-4th of June.